Harlow

Harlow's population grew in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure.

The population reached nearly 82,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Harlow increased by 4.0%, from just under 78,800 to 81,900.

The addition of just under 3,200 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Harlow was home to, on average, 19 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in private renting

Census 2011 data also show a housing tenure change in Harlow.

The percentage of households in Harlow that rented privately increased from 4.8% in 2001 to 11% in 2011.

In 2011, just over 3 in 10 (31%) households lived in social housing, compared with 34% in 2001. The percentage of Harlow households that owner their home decreased from 59% to 56%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Harlow increased by 6.1 percentage points

Percentage of households in Harlow, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Harlow residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.1% to 5.4% in the decade to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of Harlow residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 7.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Harlow decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Harlow, Eastof England and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Harlow

The number of people in Harlow from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from just over 780 in 2001 to just under 3,100 in 2011. This represents a change from 1.0% to 3.8% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 0.9% to 2.1%) and the average across England (from 2.4% to 3.6%).

The number of people in Harlow from the White ethnic groups decreased from about 75,000 in 2001 to about 73,000 in 2011 (from 95% to 89%). The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 2,000 to about 3,700 (from 2.5% to 4.6%).

About 1,800 people (1.2%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just under 970 in 2001 (2.1%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups in Harlow increased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Harlow by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of unemployment

The percentage of Harlow residents that were unemployed increased from 3.4% to 5.2% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (58%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 60% in 2001. The percentage of Harlow residents that were self-employed increased from 6.5% to 8.7%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.6% in 2001 to 3.8% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.4% to 4.4%.

The rate of unemployment in Harlow increased by 1.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Harlow, Eastof England and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

More people worked short hours

The percentage of employed people in Harlow working less than 16 hours increased from 1.6% to 2.7% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 11 (8.9%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, compared with 12% in 2001.

The proportion of people working less than 16 hours in a week increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 1.9% in 2001 to 2.9% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 1.9% to 3.1%.

The proportion of people working less than 16 hours in a week in Harlow increased by 1.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Harlow, Eastof England and England that said they had worked less than 16 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

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